STRATEGIES
Learn to set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, and monitor experiments. Select courses with laboratory components
Seek research experience with professors. Gain related experience through part-time jobs, internships, or volunteering. Complete a certificate training program, usually one year, to learn specialized laboratory techniques
Take a course in grant writing. A bachelor's degree in biology qualifies one for laboratory technician or research assistant positions. Earn master's degree for better positions, advancement opportunities, more responsibility and higher pay.
Obtain Ph.D. to direct research projects and lead research teams. Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations to gain admittance into graduate school.

STRATEGIES
Seek related experience through coursework, part-time jobs, internships or volunteering. Conduct research or assist in research including the collection of information and samples of water, soil, plants, animals, etc. Join student chapters of professional organizations related to your area of interest. Obtain a Ph.D. for teaching and advanced research and management positions.

EMPLOYERS
Colleges and universities
Professional schools including colleges of pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, and agriculture
Federal laboratories and regulatory agencies: National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration
State and local public health departments
Clinics and hospitals
Private research foundations
Independent laboratories
Pharmaceutical companies

STRATEGIES
Gain laboratory experience through coursework and/or research projects with professors. Learn to set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, and monitor experiments. Seek internships, part-time employment and volunteer opportunities in the biomedical field. Join student chapters of professional organizations related to your area of interest. Take courses in area(s) of specialization and/or consider an advanced degree. Obtain a Ph.D. for teaching and advanced research and management positions.

STRATEGIES
Plan on attending medical school or other related graduate program. Maintain an outstanding grade point average, particularly in the sciences. Secure strong faculty recommendations. Meet with a pre-health advisor periodically. Join related student organizations and demonstrate leadership abilities. Seek experiences in hospital or healthcare settings through volunteering, shadowing, part-time positions, or internships. Develop a back up plan in case medical/graduate school admission in denied. Consider alternative but related careers such as physician assistants. Research all of the various fields within medicine to determine career goals.

EMPLOYERS
Universities and colleges
Medical and other professional schools
Public and private schools, K-12
Museums
Zoos
Nature centers and parks

STRATEGIES
Gain experience working with students through tutoring, part-time employment, interning, or volunteering. Learn to work well with all types of people. Develop excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills. Certification is required for K-12 schoolteachers and varies by state. Master's degrees may be sufficient for teaching at community or two-year institutions. Ph.D. is needed for teaching opportunities at colleges and universities.

STRATEGIES
Acquire thorough knowledge of photographic procedures and technology. Take specific courses in biological, medical, and ophthalmic photography; courses in illustration and printing are also helpful. Develop strong writing skills and command of the English language. Take advanced courses in technical writing or journalism classes or consider a minor in either. Join professional associations like the National Association of Science Writers. Seek related volunteer or paid experiences with student/local publications to increase marketability. Obtain an advanced degree in scientific journalism.

Develop excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Maintain current knowledge of industry-specific laws and policies. Acquire internships in federal or state government. Take courses in history, political science and/or legal studies. Acquire a Ph.D. for advanced positions. Earn a J.D. degree to practice law.

GENERAL INFORMATION
A Bachelor's degree will qualify one for work as a laboratory assistant, technician, technologist, or research assistant in education, industry, government, museums, parks, and gardens.

An undergraduate degree can also be used for nontechnical work in writing, illustration, sales, photography, and legislation.

Master's degrees allow for more opportunities in research and administration. Some community colleges will hire Master's level teachers.

Doctoral degrees are necessary for advanced research and administrative positions, university teaching, and independent research.

An advanced degree provides the opportunity to specialize in fields of interest.

The biological sciences are good preparation for a career in healthcare such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science, but professional degrees and licenses are also necessary to practice in these fields.

Learn laboratory procedures and become familiar with equipment.

Obtain summer, part-time, volunteer, co-op, or internship experience to test the fields of interest and gain valuable experience. Take independent research classes if possible.

Participate in summer research institutes. Submit research to local poster competitions or research symposiums.